The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Oyo State, Michael Lana, has stepped down from the race and endorsed the state governor, Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party for a second term.
Lana at a press conference, explained that he had consulted widely before stepping down to support the incumbent governor and the decision was taken alongside the House of Assembly candidates.
He alleged that some party leaders had abandoned majority of the members in the state, secretly declaring support for another party which triggered his decision to mobilize support for the incumbent.
“As you are aware, in almost all radio interviews I attended, I was asked whether, as it had become the habit of this party, I too would step down at the end of the day. Believing I was in the midst of ideologically sound members, and knowing myself as a principled person, I always answered in the negative.”
“I believed fervently that my gospel of preaching issues and ideas would earn me the victory that the people of Oyo State deserves.”
“However, events of the past few weeks proved me wrong. Some people believed only in money politics and victory by vote buying. In fact, I became persona non grata, the moment some people within the party realized that monies sourced solely for the purpose of electioneering would not be shared among them.”
“I thank God that this attitude came to the fore now and not after we might have won the election as I wondered what they would have done to the Oyo State treasury. Their interest is not in winning the election and elevating our people from their suffering but in enriching themselves now.”
